My son has been researching associations for work and, based on an e-mail he sent me, he has clearly hit upon a few irritating sites. This two-minute test is the result of his frustration with navigating them - and it's a good one. When I read it, I had to smile, knowing the truth about how difficult it can be out there. It was a problem of site navigation that led me to nominate Fido for the best and worst. I knew I had to share this test with you (with his permission).

Here's my criteria for the ideal association or nonprofit web site:

Within 2 minutes, the user should be able to locate:

• contact information (e-mail, mailing address, physical address, phone/fax)
• board of directors
• key staff
• membership/donation forms (if applicable)
• mission statement

Without having to:

• download newsletters or annual reports
• switch browsers
• switch operating systems
• frantically turn off speakers

Bonus points for:

• consolidation of information (i.e., staff and board information on the same page)

Seems like a fair criteria to me.

-- Well said, son!